I frequently think about exchanging my schedule, my home, my friends, my education and more concrete things that make me who I am for those of others. But this project seems to have a more theoretical and emotional layer.
Often said in situations that the one is trying to help the other, is something in the course of: 'If I could, I would take some of your sorrow, I would resolve your pain and bear it for you'. The intention is clear, but both the person with grief and the helping friend know that it is not going to happen. That which is being assumed not to be feasible, is exactly what Lina Issa is doing during the project.
Is she trying to be a new Mother Theresa by doing this? Where is the centre of gravity? After all, she is a performance and video artist. Nowadays, an artist is often supposed to be social engaged and accessible for a large public. Within this scope, we could say she just uses participants for her own sake, although she presents herself as someone who is charitable to people. Or maybe she doesn't profile herself like that. And what if she does, and if she just wants to make a nice art project, is that a problem? It's not necessarily less genuine if it's not her aim to help other people besides herself. I don't think we have to be aware of her intentions, as long as we are aware of the effects that these actions have.